Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Sam Lee (Catalyst Agape Church), was originally posted on July 17, 2014.
Devotional Thoughts for Today
“We are Rich in Christ”
1 Peter 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
I know someone who should never worry about money, but he always mentions all the different ways he can lose it all. He worries about the past and future stock market crashes, thefts, scams, natural disasters, the many other unforeseen and real competitions, and the list would go on and on. The more money he makes, the more fearful he becomes.
Unfortunately, some believers act like this rich man. Though we have “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,” yet we act as though we were spiritually poor. We treat the Christian life as a list of do’s and don’ts instead of an abundant life of God overflowing through us. For many of us, it’s a life of performance and going through guilt trips to please a demanding God instead of worshipping a God who loves us so much that He sent His own Son that we may have life. Christianity is not just gritting our teeth and just bearing it. But Paul says that we should run as though we are going to win the race: “Run in such a way to get the prize” (1Cor.9:24). We shouldn’t think of victory just to mean avoiding temptations for a single day, but Jesus reminds us that we, as Christians, will break down the gates of Hades and overcome it.
Let’s remember that we are not poor, but rich. God wants to bless us abundantly so that we can change the world. He wants us to encounter Him, not just to experience a touching, memorable, and emotional revival meeting, but so that we can change the people around us with the overflowing presence of God.
Prayer: Lord, you bless us so that we may bless others. Thank you that your blessings are unlimited. I open my heart so that you may fill every empty place in my heart. Fill me, Lord!
Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 14
Lunch Break Study
Read Genesis 12:2-3: I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
Questions to Consider
- If I want to experience the blessings of God, I always start with thanksgiving. Spend some time thanking the Lord from your heart.
- Lies and wrong belief system hides and even steals the blessings of God in our lives. Identity some lies and wrong belief system and reject it.
Notes
- One attitude that causes us to be ungrateful is comparing ourselves to others; this makes us feel like God blesses others more than us. Therefore, we fail to recognize that what we have is not something we deserve, but it is God’s gracious favor in our lives.
- The two common lies Christians fall for: First, God must love me since I am doing so many great things for him; and second, God must be displeased with me since I’m not doing much for him. While we do need to bear fruits, God’s acceptance of us always begins and ends with Christ and his work on the cross.
Evening Reflection
God blesses you abundantly so that He can use you to change the world. Let’s take a step toward that blessing. Pray and ask God to help you to witness and minister to one person this week.